Investigation remains open following Mackinac Bridge jump

STRAITS OF MACKINAC — A Michigan State Police investigation remains open, following reports of a woman jumping from the Mackinac Bridge at approximately 5 p.m. on Monday.

According the U.S. Coast Guard-Sector Sault Ste. Marie, a four-hour search -- including a helicopter dispatched from Traverse City as well as the Mobile Bay, a Coast Guard cutter based out of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., on icebreaking operations in the region -- was called off because of inclement weather conditions in the region with the unnamed woman not being recovered.

Because the possible death is being considered a suicide attempt, the Coast Guard declined to provide more information.

"Water temperatures were in the low 30s," said Lt. Adam Saurin, the public affairs officer for Sector Sault. "That's not very good conditions for anyone's survival over an extended period of time."

According to Laurin, the Coast Guard received a call at approximately 5 p.m. after Michigan State Police received a call from a Mackinac Bridge Authority employee after observing an unoccupied car on the southern portion of the bridge. Three police cruisers responded to the scene and -- according to Laurin -- had spotted the 5-foot-8, 210-pound female in the water but she was not responding to troopers.

The Coast Guard dispatched three units, but a small boat from the St. Ignace station had to return after facing rough conditions in the Straits.

He stated that Michigan State Police in St. Ignace is continuing the investigation, which was confirmed by a Sgt. Demers at the post today, Wednesday.

"We are investigating a report," he stated. "No body has been recovered at this point."